GAP announces 2010 Schedule

  The Golf Association of Philadelphia’s 2010 schedule, the 114th in the organization’s history, offers a litany of thrilling tournaments for players of all age groups (Junior, Amateur and Senior) and ability levels (Championship and Handicap).

  The season begins in April and concludes in October. Over 50 courses will be on display as the Association stays true to its mission: to preserve, protect and promote the game of golf.

  GAP Team Matches–To start the season, a record 130 clubs will field 320 teams to compete in the illustrious Team Matches. Squads will engage in three days of competition: April 18, 25 and May 2. The Playoffs and Challenges will be held May 8.

  Last year, Commonwealth National GC won its second title in three years. They triumphed over reigning champion Tavistock CC as well as Moselem Springs GC and Yardley CC.

  Championships–The Majors season opens with the 27th Middle-Amateur Championship, set for May 26-27 at Philadelphia Cricket Club (Militia Hill). The Club previously hosted the 2003 Middle-Amateur, which was won by member Robert Savarese, Jr. on the Wissahickon Course. Michael Brown of Philadelphia Publinks GA edged Sean Leonard of Tavistock CC in a first-ever sudden-death playoff to earn the 2009 crown.

  Speaking of initial occurrences, for the first time in its 110-year history, the Amateur Championship comes to Saucon Valley CC June 21-23 & 26. Players will take to both the Old and Grace Courses on the first day to qualify for match play. The match play portion will take place on the Old Course. Last year, Conrad Von Borsig of Concord CC defeated Overbrook GC’s James Kania, Jr., the 2009 William Hyndman, III Player of the Year, 6&4 at a rainy Stonewall (Old Course). However, Von Borsig will not return to defend his title; the Swarthmore, Pa. resident turned professional this offseason.

  The 106th Open Championship comes to Philmont CC this year. Those looking to qualify for the championship proper must head to the “creeks.” The first qualifier will be held at French Creek GC in Elverson, Pa. on June 28; a second and final qualifier comes to Hidden Creek GC in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. a day later. Spring Ford CC Head Professional Rich Steinmetz set an Open scoring record in 2009 with a 10-under-par 132 at Bent Creek CC.

  The 107th Joseph H. Patterson Memorial Cup, the final major of the season, takes place on Aug. 12-13 at RiverCrest GC & Preserve. Kania clinched the Silver Cross, as well as Player of the Year honors, by winning last year’s tournament at Llanerch CC.

  Commonwealth National GC looks to repeat as Philadelphia Team Champions when the tournament, in its 95th year, heads to Stonewall (North) July 1. First, though, the squad must qualify for the championship proper on June 8 at Whitford CC. The Team Championship pits four teams of eight players in a foursome match and singles competition.

  USGA Events–The Association will conduct seven USGA Qualifiers. The trek to Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open starts at either Galloway National GC (May 11) or The Springhaven Club (May 17). Seniors hoping to play in the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee CC in Sammamish, Wash. can qualify at Radnor Valley CC June 24. Those wishing to qualify for the USGA Senior Amateur Championship at Lake Nona G&CC in Orlando, Fla. can do so at Kennett Square G&CC Sept. 13.

  Senior–Huntingdon Valley CC hosts the 40th Senior Amateur Championship, set for Sept. 7-8. The 36-hole tournament is open to golfers 55 years of age and older with a handicap index of 7.0 or lower (12.0 for super seniors). David Brookreson will look to retain the title on his home course.

  The quest for the Senior Silver Cross begins when contenders head to Llanerch CC May 6 for the Francis B. Warner Cup (Gross). Raymond Thompson of Overbrook GC looks to capture his third title in four years. The Senior Silver Cross quest continues July 29 when the Frank H. Chapman Memorial (Gross) comes to Burlington CC. Gary Daniels of Saucon Valley CC, the 2009 Senior Player of the Year, will look to defend his title. Jay Howson, Jr. of St. Davids GC, the 2009 Super-Senior Player of the Year, will look to do the same.

  Other highlights of the senior schedule include: the Warner Cup (Net) on June 1 at St. Davids GC; the Senior Four-Ball Stroke Play on June 9 at Golden Oaks GC; the Brewer Cup at Sandy Run CC on July 12-14; the Senior Four-Man Team on July 15 at Bent Creek CC; the Chapman Memorial (Net) on Aug. 25 at White Manor CC and the Senior 27-Hole Challenge on Sept. 2 at Spring Ford CC.

  Junior–The 96th Junior Boys' Championship (ages 14-17) is set for June 28-30 at Whitford CC. Thirty-two players will look to gain match play berths in either the Championship or First Flight.

  Jericho National GC’s Zachary Herr narrowly defeated James Tallent of Merion GC, in 19 holes last year at Riverton CC. Herr’s club will also look to repeat as Junior Boys’ Team Champions.

  Lu Lu CC welcomes the Christman Cup July 9. Vince Boyle of Torresdale-Frankford CC edged Edward McCrossen, Jr. of Whitemarsh Valley CC in a sudden-death playoff on his home course last year. On July 19, the 26th Jock MacKenzie Memorial will take place at Sandy Run CC, its permanent home. The qualifying round of the Junior, the one round of the Jock MacKenzie Memorial and the two rounds of the Christman Cup, account for the Harry Hammond Award winner — the junior version of the Silver Cross. The Francis X. Hussey Memorial, set for July 12 at Rolling Green Golf Club, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Other events on the junior schedule include: the Pre-Junior Event on July 7 at Philadelphia Cricket Club (St. Martins Course); the Junior-Junior Boys' Championship (ages 11-13) on July 26-28 at West Chester G&CC and the 8th Deeg Sezna Four-Ball on Aug. 3 at Hartefeld National.

  The Association will send a squad to compete in the Williamson Cup, set for Aug. 9-10 at Essex G&CC. It features teams of four juniors from 10 regional and state associations competing in a two-day, 36-hole stroke play competition.

  Father & Son Tournaments-The Middle, Younger and Older tournaments continue to promote father-son golf. Travel to Greate Bay CC along the New Jersey shore June 3 to participate in the Father & Son (Middle). Now in its third year, the select drive/alternate shot tournament is open to teams with sons 18 to 29 years of age. The Father & Son (Younger) comes to The Bucks Club for the first time July 8. Bob Fair and Daniel Lee of Golden Oaks GC won last year’s event at Sunnybrook GC. Finally, the Father & Son (Older), open to teams with sons 30 years and over, will be held Sept. 16 at Blue Bell. Howson and his son Gregory, also of St. Davids GC, will vie for their third consecutive title.

  Handicap Championships– The shore is an Association “hot spot” in 2010. The Spring Net Championship comes to Wildwood G&CC June 10. Spring Ford CC’s Chet Shemanski carded a career-best 9-under-par 62 (net) at Raven’s Claw GC to take the 2009 crown. The Fall Net Championship will be held at Hershey’s Mill GC on Aug. 23. Bill Smith of Sandy Run CC claimed the trophy last year at White Manor CC.

  In each tournament, an overall low net champion is crowned and four flight champions are recognized as well. In addition, the low senior in each flight will earn honors.

  Meetings–There are five meetings on the Association calendar: the Presidents’ Council, the Chairmen's Meeting, the Pro-President, Golf & Green, the Players Dinner and the Annual Meeting.

  The Presidents’ Council, now in its sixth year, offers a chance for club presidents and general managers to attend a seminar on key issues and topics. This year’s program is set for March 24 at Waynesborough CC.

  The Chairmen's Meeting is scheduled for April 7 at Woodcrest CC. The meeting will brief club chairmen on USGA handicap topics.

  The Pro-President, Golf & Green will be held May 19 at both Philadelphia CC and Overbrook GC. The sixth annual Player’s Dinner comes to Aronomink GC Oct. 12. The event recognizes the top players from each championship division – amateur, junior and senior – as well as flight winners from each tournament.

  The Annual Meeting concludes the GAP schedule. It will be held Oct. 20 at Meadowlands CC and Sunnybrook GC.

  Honorary teams–The Association will send representatives to the Williamson Cup, Compher Cup, the Senior Challenge Matches, the Challenge Matches and the Mason-Dixon Matches.

  The Compher Cup will be held April 28 at Gulph Mills GC. The event pits the GAP against the New Jersey State Golf Association with 12-man teams from each organization competing in an individual and four-ball match. GAP leads the annual series, 31-12-4. Last year, the NJSGA defeated GAP, 13.5-4.5, to reclaim the Compher Cup.

  Eight-man teams representing four associations - Delaware, GAP, New Jersey and Maryland – will participate in the Senior Challenge Matches. Bedens Brook Club in Skillman, N.J. hosts the 2010 contest Sept. 30.

  The Challenge Matches pit 12-man teams from the Golf Association of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA against each other in an individual and four-ball match. GAP looks for its first victory since 1994. The PGA leads the all-time series, 15-1-3. LedgeRock GC will host the event Oct. 14.

  The Mason-Dixon Matches, a competition of 12-man teams from the Golf Association of Philadelphia and the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, will be held Oct. 9-10 at Woodmont CC in Rockville, Md. The Middle Atlantic Golf Association took last year’s title. The GAP leads the all-time series, 33-21-4.

  Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 141 Member Clubs and 60,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The purpose of the Association is simple: To promote, protect and preserve the game of golf in the region.

  To view the complete schedule, click here.